A MAJOR milestone in the construction of the new £2.1 million bridge across the River Walkham at Grenofen has just been reached, as the last three steel sections have finally been lifted into place.

The last sections complete the five-span, 200m long arching truss across the steep wooded valley — a vital link in the Drake's Trail cycle route between Tavistock and Plymouth.

A spokesman for the project said: 'The installation of the last sections was always going to be difficult due to the steep slopes, narrow site and proximity to the river.

'To carry out the works, Dawnus, our main contractor had to install twenty tonnes of scaffolding over an area the size of a tennis court and strengthen the ground by the river to support a 250-tonne crane.

'The installation of the sections was carried out with great precision by TEMA Engineering Ltd and went to plan with the minor exception of the crane breaking down for a couple of days prior to the final lift.'

A point has now been reached with the decking that means the workmen in safety harnesses can walk out along the structure to the central span and be rewarded with stunning vistas of Dartmoor to the east and Sticklepath woods to the West.

Work has also progressed well on the installation of the steel bridge parapets; the first two spans are now fitted with the lower section of the 1.4 metre high railings.

The top rail will be fitted once all lower rail sections have been installed to ensure a good straight alignment is achieved.

The project has been put forward for consideration in the National Considerate Constructors Award Scheme as a result of the work by Dawnus and the county council in keeping the public informed of the progress and of any potential disruption.

The awards are due to be announced at the end of January.

The spokesman added: 'Minor delays due to the breakdown of the crane and some very wet weather has meant that the works' completion date has dropped back slightly, but we are still very hopeful of a spring opening for this vital section of the NCN Route 27, Drakes Trail, making for a very Happy New Year.'